HK$20m DRC ‘superlot’ set for auction

2nd September, 2014 by Rupert Millar

Sotheby’s is to offer the most valuable lot ever offered at a wine auction this October in Hong Kong – a superlot of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.

Consisting of 114 bottles of 19 consecutive vintages from 1992 to 2010 (six bottles per vintage), the lot is valued at HK$12 to HK$20 million (US$1.5-$2.5m), the most expensive ever offered at auction and will be sold in Hong Kong on 4 October.

The previous record holder is a single lot of 50 cases of Mouton Rothschild 1982, which sold for HK$8.2m in New York in 2006.

Robert Sleigh, head of Sotheby’s Wine, Asia, said: “With an annual production of around 5,000 bottles, it is a rare event to offer 12 bottles of Romanée-Conti, but to offer 114 bottles, spanning 19 vintages is an extraordinary, and most likely, a once-in-a-lifetime event. The buyer of this lot will be able to appreciate and compare these ultra-rare wines as they evolve over the coming decades.”

Also at the sale, an extremely rare collection of 66 magnums of Henri Jayer’s Cros Parantoux and Echezeaux from the late 1980s and early 1990s will be on sale, split into 19 lots with a combined value of HK$5.9-$8.8m.

The magnums come from the cellar of James H Clark, founder of Netscape Communications Corporation.

Burgundy lots will make up 40% of the number of lots and some 70% of the sales projected value of HK$35-$53m.

“His cellar combines truly impressive scale, with incredible quality: the best wines from the greatest producers in outstanding vintages. To be able to offer 66 magnums of Henri Jayer’s wines from the 1988, 1989 and 1990 vintages in our Hong Kong auction, as well as the greatest collection of Italian and Rhône wines that Sotheby’s has ever offered, in a special Single-Owner sale in New York, illustrates his dedicated focus on collecting and enjoying only the world’s best wines.”

Buyers will also be able to pick up first growths from 2003 (recently re-rated and praised again by Robert Parker) and 2000, 1989 Pétrus, 2003 Chambertin from Armand Rousseau and 2005 Chambolle Musigny, Les Amoureuses from Georges Roumier.

There is also a very rare vertical of cult Napa Cabernet Screaming Eagle up for grabs, 14 bottles covering 1992-1999, 2001-2005 and the 2007 (est. HK$220,000-$300,000).